Konrad Ziegler

9.3

Dark and oak. At Barcelona Wine Bar- outside and socially distanced — 3 years ago

Eric Stec

9.0

2017 on 9/25/19. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

In the ski chalet or in this case, the bar- Salmontini that overlooks Ski Dubai inside The Mall of the Emirates. Sofía is skiing and I’m having a glass Laurent-Perrier. Two bad discs don’t make for enjoyable skiing. Perhaps, the worst thing I could do for them. I’m getting the better end of the deal! 😋

We already spent a half-hour playing with King Penguins! 🐧 What fun!

As for the champagne, the nose reveals, green apple, lemon lime, pineapple, some hints of green melon and honey, vanilla, cream soda, beautiful soft chalkiness, sea shells, gentle volcanic minerals, spring flowers, Jasmine and yellow lilies.

The body is nice and glides easily over the palate. Nice mousse and mouthfeel. Green apple, lemon lime, pineapple, some hints of green melon and honey, vanilla, cream soda, notes of ginger, baguette crust, beautiful soft chalkiness, sea shells, more pronounced volcanic minerals than the nose and penetrate into the palate, spring flowers, Jasmine and yellow lilies. Really nice soft acidity and micro bubbles. The finish is rich, elegant, nicely polished and persists minutes.

Happy Good Friday and Easter weekend!
🐣 🐰 — 5 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.2

I never seen IPA cask before. Actually the taste is predominantly mizunara barrel. @Ginger whisky bar Hong Kong — 6 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.8

Madeira-like wine made from old vine Mission grapes from the historic Deaver Vineyard. One of the best things I've ever put into my mouth. 16.5% alc. Moderately sweet and so complex that I can't put it into words. The last vintage of this, the 1986, was just bottled 2 years ago after 30 years in barrel. Hopefully I can track some down. — 7 years ago

Nico J. Snyman

8.9

Non Dosé, but there's a richness to it, lacking some acidity for my liking, great to try something for the Côte de Bar though, — 7 years ago

Phyllis Holt

9.3

Light and bright with a citrus and pear flavor. — 7 years ago

Mike Pernecky

9.3

Wife liked it. — 4 years ago

Andrew Kienle

8.9

Phenomenal balance even if not terribly complex. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

2016 is such a beautifully, ripe and elegant vintage. The 16 stands tall from the other vintages we tasted.

The body is rich, bold and thick. Beautiful dark fruits of ripe, ruby; blackberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries and amazing blue fruits shine as it sit on the palate. There is more balance in the 16...fruits and earth. Saddle-wood, tobacco, leather, dry soil, dry & moist clay, dry stone, rich dark earth, lead pencil, bright, fresh, red, blue, dark flowers with violets. Very nice acidity with a beautiful finish.

Don’t even touch a bottle for 15 plus years. This nice now but, you will only be cheating yourself out of a very special wine 15 plus years from now.

Photos of; Clyde and Alfred at the bar, their Amphora style cement tanks they ferment part of each vintage now, road signs of the good neighbors they keep and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 5 years ago

Chris Paul

Wine Educator Copain Wines

9.1

Balanced and showing both medicinal and herbal notes in its development. Exhibits classic signs of VA, but at a level that’s pleasant and intriguing. Drink up! — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Time for a light red on still a warm night. This one out of 375ml. On the nose, sweet floral mid red fruits of; dark cherries, plum, blackberries & baked strawberries. Fruit liqueur notes, cola, vanilla, black licorice anise and fresh dark florals. The M body is clean & fresh. The palate fruits are; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, strawberries and dry cranberries. Soft, light spices, rose petals, vanilla, cola, hint of black licorice anise, touch of Christmas cake, dry top soil, crushed dry rock, limestone, really nice round acidity and a well polished rich finish with notes of liqueur. It's in a good spot out of 375 with several years ahead of good drinking. Photos of the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville. The top photo is one of my favorite art pieces. The caption reads, "Time is a great teacher, unfortunately it kills all it's pupils." Their tasting bar, the exterior of their tasting room and another favorite painting behind the bar in their event tasting room. Charles Hendricks (Winemaker) has taken it to his house. However, he is being pestered to bring it back. It's perfect behind the bar in the event tasting room. — 7 years ago

Kim Stanbro

9.2

The butteriest (is that a word?) sauv blanc I've experienced- first sniff had me thinking it was a chard! Nice enough to grill out. — 7 years ago

with Amy and Dave

Thomas Pellerite

9.0

Good value. Crisp green apple 🍏 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Merry Christmas Eve-Eve everyone! 🎄🎅🤶⛄️❄️🎁🍷

On the nose, leap dark currants & cassis with bright red, dark, blue & purple florals at pop & pour. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherry kirsch, plum, mulberries, blueberries, poached & strawberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Black licorice, star anise, dark chocolate bar, volcanic & limestone, steeped fruit teas, dark cola, sweet tarry notes, black, rich, turned earth, mid, dark spices, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, barrel shavings with char, dry brush, leather, fresh tobacco, granite, some eucalyptus, mint notes, light, dry herbs with fresh & some withering red, dark, purple and blue, fresh and slightly candied florals.

The body is; round, ripe, & rich. The tension, structure, length and balance are just beginning their sweet spot. The tannins are; rounding, tarry & still chewy. Plenty of life left in the 09...8-10 years. Dark currants & cassis. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherry kirsch, plum, mulberries, blueberries, poached & strawberries, cherries, black raspberries & raspberries. Black licorice, star anise, dark chocolate bar, volcanic & limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry stems, steeped fruit teas, dark cola, sweet tarry notes, black, rich, turned earth, mid, dark spices, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, barrel shavings with char, dry brush, leather, fresh tobacco, granite, some eucalyptus, mint notes, light, dry herbs with fresh & some withering red, dark, purple and blue, fresh and slightly candied florals. The acidity is round & spot on. The ripe, rich, ruby, elegant, balanced & polished finish is splendid and persists nicely on the palate with mid, dark spice on the long set. So much better with this much age. Really delicious tonight!

A steal now at under $35 upon release at Costco.

This wine is close to its peak and will hover there 3-4 years.

Photos of; the Estate, old large oak vats and David Heitz.
— 4 years ago

Merritt Santino Raül Gilé

9.0

DNWC pick of the month. Probably 3-4 years past peak, but still drinkin’ reeeeaaaallll nice. — 6 years ago

Jeff Lichon

9.0

Always a good one from Bower's Harbor — 6 years ago

leon egozi

9.4

This is their new release cab. 👍👍👍 — 7 years ago

Brenda C

9.6

Mmmmmm! Yummy! Had at a bar, not sure the vintage 🙁. But had a little, hmm? Strawberry maybe on the middle palate. Just that something extra to set it apart from just your typical cab. — 7 years ago

Annie Carruthers

9.2

Had at lobster bar 2014 vintage with jack on our anniversary — 7 years ago